verb
counteract
KOWN-tuhr-akt
verb
1
To reduce or cancel out the effect of something by acting in an opposing way.
"The medicine counteracts the side effects of the treatment."
"Regular exercise helps counteract the effects of a sedentary job."
How to Use Counteract
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo act against something in order to cancel out or lessen its effect.
Common pairings
counteract the effects
counteract a threat
Word Forms
counteracted past tense, counteracts plural, counteracts singular
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The medicine _____ the side effects of the treatment.
Etymology
From counter- ("against") + act.